Tag: nutrition

You like beetroot right? Really? Too bad, perhaps, if you don’t because it has become something of a fad over the last year or so, joining other previously unsung oddities to become a member of the hallowed ‘super-food’ group with impressive (or at least impressive sounding) credentials. On the face of it adding beetroot or its derivatives to a sporting diet makes good sense; it’s abundantly rich in dietary nitrates which carries some quite strong evidence for reducing blood pressure – this, in turn, may help improve exercise efficiency (according to recent studies – more of which below) by increasing oxygen uptake. One way of consuming enough beetroot to possibly see results is by taking Beet It Sport Shots – little 70ml bottles of extract with a dash of lemon juice to help remove some of the associated ‘earthy’ taste. Cyclo took the plunge and put them to the test.

Now, true to say that our hearts seldom leap when we test something that carries the warning ‘may turn urine pink’, but so be it. First off, the taste: Beet It tastes uncommonly like, well…, beetroot (with a hint of lemon), so unless it’s the texture of the pink imp that usually puts you off this is unlikely to do anything to persuade you that beetroot now ranks up there with truffle or a good steak. In terms of improving performance? Naturally hard to say in any meaningfully empirical sense even after two weeks of daily consumption, but then much of the ‘evidence’ for benefits comes from worryingly low-key studies (very small test groups, no double-blind testing, exceptionally short test period and no study of long-term benefit).

If you buy into the ‘super-food’ idea, then giving Beet It a go will undoubtedly boost your dietary nitrates (and probably lower your blood pressure), but so too would making sure that your daily intake includes celery, cress, rocket and a host of other green leafy vegetables. Personally this isn’t something we’ll take to on a regular basis at least until there is a whole world of additional proof, and it’s done nothing to convince us that beetroot is anything but the devil’s food. Oh yes, and it turned our urine pink too…

Beet It Sport Shots cost £27 for 15, more details at www.beet-it.com

How often can you say that a power-boosting energy snack tastes good, let alone fantastic? Hold that thought and add to it the number of times you have said, ‘man, that snack tasted so nice I’m going to send some as a present to the wife/husband/bank manager…’ Well it seems that the Gorgeous Chocolate Heart Company have achieved the seemingly impossible with their range of extraordinary raw energy confections designed to both boost performance and tickle the taste buds in equal measure. Meet the Raw Chocolate Energy Balls…

Weighing in at 40g and looking like a chocolate truffle on steroids (though obviously  containing no such thing) the range consists of four options: Spiraball, Berriball, Buziball and the Lovebite Ball; all incorporate 100% natural ingredients including raw chocolate (in the form of cacao powder and butter), which unlike most conventional chocolate isn’t processed or roasted, leaving it – and the other ingredients, rich in easily assimilated nutrients, minerals and vitamins. The Spiraball adds spirulina and figs to the mix, whilst the Buziball has goji berries and maca (lepidium meyenii), the Berriball adds cranberries and chia seeds (to provide omega3) and the Lovebite contains both ginseng and guarana. With the latter suggesting ‘libido raising’ properties it might be best to pass on this one on the bike where lycra leaves little room for, ahem, growth.

All joking aside, the range delivers excellent power-boosting properties, certainly in line with plenty of commercially available (and less palatable) traditional gels and bars. Take the Buziball for example which delivers 153kcal from 17.4g of carbs (14.8g of which derives from sugars) and mixes in a healthy dose of 3g of protein to help, amongst other things, metabolise the energy faster. A bigger jag of protein can be found in the Spiraball (4.3g) and all four provided an excellent lift on Cyclo’s test rides.

Yes, you’re unlikely to switch your entire nutritional strategy on the bike to one made up entirely of raw chocolate truffles, but on long events mixing up the intake is desirable and the Gorgeous Chocolate Heart Company provides a way of lifting both spirit and performance all at once. Go on, treat yourself…

Wheat, dairy, sugar and gluten free the range is available in a growing range of high street health food shops or via the website chocheart.co.uk £8.00 for four of the same or one of each, including UK P&P.

High5 have been around for quite some time and in addition to their other products, including their EnergySource 4:1 and Protein Recovery mix, Cyclo has long used their energy gel products that come in two basic types: traditional gel and IsoGel. The basic High5 Energy Gel is a strong concentrate with an intense rich flavour – available in apple (a Cyclo favourite), banana, citrus, orange and summer fruit – the consistency is thick, though no thicker than rival products, which does require a good glug of water to help it down. The 38gram sachets contain an ample 23grams of carbohydrate to keep you riding hard and for an extra kick caffeinated versions are also available, although we find these to have something of a bitter aftertaste.

For an easier time, and to avoid the need for taking water with your gel, the High5 IsoGel is a really neat solution. Although bulkier than the traditional gel coming in at 60ml (for the same 23gram serving of carbs) they naturally have a far thinner consistency, more like taking a tiny drink than trying to force down a thick gel – the flavour is less intense and the experience far less sticky than with the usual gloop. Available only in orange and berry (please, please can we have apple too?) there is, again, a ‘+’ option which delivers the caffeine hit.

Unlike many gels the High5s are genuinely easy to open one handed, giving you no excuses next time you’re head to head in a race. Both also contain the electrolytes sodium and potassium in just the right quantity to ensure efficient carb metabolizing. Both the Energy Gels and IsoGels are widely available online and off. Expect to pay around £20.00 for 20 IsoGels and £25.00 for 25 Energy Gels.

You may have noticed by now that Cyclo likes to snack on a ride (and before and after one too if truth be told). And, always on the lookout for something a bit different, we were more than happy to take a nibble at this interesting selection of snacks from Munchy Seed, which are available in a variety pot and packet sizes, including a jersey pocket friendly 30g sachet.

They come in a good variety of flavours too: the Omega Mix and Pumpkin Mix both add a slightly salty crunch, the Chilli Mix throws in some heat and the Vanilla Pumpkin comes on like a little sugared-almond mouth explosion. In addition to being mighty tasty, these nibbles add a reasonable dose of protein to your ride  too, which in turn of course, helps the body to absorb carbohydrates during exercise. Munchy Seeds also boast a strong “Natural” pedigree and the company website is awash with information on the health benefits of everything from Apricot Kernels (an anti-spasmodic effect to help strained muscles) to Nutmeg (easing digestive problems), Hemp (circulatory boosts) and Flax (Omega 3). Always nice to find an extra trick for your goody bag that doesn’t bloat you on artificial nastiness and better still when there are so many potential benefits.

For their weight they pack a punch in the pure nutrition department too; although they vary from variety to variety the Omega Sprinkle, for example, delivers 613kcal, 28.4g protein and 13.1g carbohydrate (1.5g of which is sugar) per 100g serving.

200g tubs cost £3.50, 30g sachets around 60p or a variety pack of sachets (6 of each flavour, 24 in total) are £12.50. Available from selected supermarkets and health food shops, or online at munchyseeds.co.uk